This document discusses different methods for comparing fractions, including: 1) Comparing fractions with the same denominator by looking at the numerators 2) Making the denominators the same by finding the least common multiple before comparing 3) Comparing fractions by multiplying the numerators and denominators 4) Converting fractions to decimals and comparing the decimal forms The key steps are to simplify the fractions to have a common denominator or convert to decimals before determining which fraction is greater.

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2. Comparing Fractions
 Students need to be able to determine if two fractions
are equal or if one fraction is greater or less than the
other.
Comparing Fractions with the Same
Denominator:
 If the denominators of two fractions are the same,
the fraction with the largest numerator is the larger
fraction.
Example:-
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1
4
3
4
Both the denominators are
same i.e., 4,
So think about numerator,
Here 1 < 3

3. Comparing Fractions with the different
Denominator:
 Firstly you need to make them the same denominator.
How to Make the Denominators the Same
 The trick is to find the Least Common Multiple of the two
denominators.
 Then it is just a matter of changing each fraction to make it's
denominator the Least Common Multiple.
 Then the largest and smallest numerator is the larger and
smaller fraction respectively.
 Example :
2 7
or
Which is larger :
3
The LCM of 3 and 6 is 6.
6
4
and
6
4
It is now easy to see that
6
So, let's do some multiplying to
make each denominator equal to 6
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2
3
2
2
7
6
7
6

4. Comparing Fractions
By using Multiplication:
 Comparing Fractions and finding which unlike fraction
(different denominators) is larger or smaller.
1. Write the two fractions.
2. Multiply the first numerator with the second denominator.
3. Write the product above the first fraction.
4. Multiply the second numerator with the first denominator.
5. Write the product above the second fraction.
6. Decide which product is greater and put the greater than or
less than symbol between the two fractions.
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5. Examples
3
7
Which is larger : or
7
2
Solution :
The two fractions are:
3
7
or
7
2
Multiply the first numerator with the
second denominator: 3 2 = 6
6
49
3
7
7
2
So, that
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Multiply the Second numerator with
the first denominator: 7 7 = 49
which product is greater:
We can see that 6 < 49
Means 49 is larger than 6
3
7
<
7
2

6. Which sign belongs between the
two fractions?
The greater product is written above the greater fraction.
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7. Comparing Fractions
Using Their Decimal Equivalents:
Step I: Change each fraction to a decimal.
Numerator
(Top Number)
Denominator
(Bottom Number)
Step II: Compare the decimals.
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8. Example # ~ Compare these fractions.
4 ÷
5
=
3
Next, compare the decimals.
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÷
7
=

9. Comparing Decimals
1
Line up the decimal points. Use zeros to
make an equal number of decimal places.
0.800
0.428
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10. Comparing Decimals
2
Start by comparing the greatest place.
Find the first place where the digits are
different.
0.800
0.428
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11. Comparing Decimals
3
Compare the values of the digits.
0.8 is greater than 0.4
So,
0.8 > 0.428
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12. Example # ~ Compare these fractions.
The greater than symbol
can be placed between these fractions.
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